February 2012

FT HENRY, TN—A joint Union Army and Navy expedition captures Fort Henry along the Tennessee River, as Confederate General Lloyd Tilghman surrenders to Flag Officer Andrew H. Foote. The rising waters of the Tennessee condemned several of the defensive batteries, leaving it vulnerable to enemy fire. 

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM—Queen Victoria ends all export restrictions on munitions from Great Britain, opening up the market for both sides to import British gunpowder and firearms. 

HAMPTON ROADS, VA—Flag Officer David Farragut's flagship, the U.S.S. Hartford, leaves Hampton Roads for Ship Island, Mississippi. Farragut, assigned to command the Western Gulf Blockading Squadron, would lead a campaign to capture New Orleans in April.